We’re so in love with festivals — especially festivals with music AND bacon — that we had two cameras at Bacon Fest.
So, we have some more photos, featuring the School of Rock teachers’ band, and other sights, sounds, and tastes around downtown Easton on Sunday. Enjoy!
This past Saturday, Thirteen Butterflies Productions and MECA joined forces at Allentown Masonic Temple to battle against bullying and child abuse — and they had the help of an arsenal of willing musicians.
Easton’s 40th Annual Heritage Day is in the books! Thousands of Valley residents came out on Saturday to hear great music from a variety of local artists, enjoy a taste of history with the re-enactment of the reading of the Declaration of Indpendence at Centre Square, and have some all-around summer fun.
As promised, we stuck around into the night and caught many more great musical performances before the evening was through. These included the Bank Street Band from Easton’s School of Rock, who performed a selection of stirring American standards and contemporary songs during the festival’s fireworks display.
Enjoy the photos below! Kudos to all those who put on a successful event, and thanks for having LVU out to capture it all!
Brian Dean Moore Band (Country rock)
Dana Gaynor Band (Blues)
Joyous (Soul/Motown)
School of Rock Easton (Rock/Alternative)
Since 1976, Easton has celebrated its lasting legacy with Heritage Day, a festival originally held to commemorate the reading of the Declaration of Independence in the city. On Sunday, Easton will celebrate the event’s 40th Anniversary.
A key highlight will take place at noon, when re-enactors will take to the steps of the Centre Square courthouse to read the Declaration of Independence once more. Easton was one of three cities – the others being Philadelphia and Trenton, NJ – where our nation’s founding document was read aloud in Colonial times.
“(Heritage Day) is a great time, and the history is very important to the festival,” said board member Dustin Schoof. “It’s a day of history, music, and it’s a nice cross-section of different things happening.”
Easton native Dan DeChellis is one of many performers for Heritage Day 2016.
In addition to period-appropriate re-enactors and crafters, Heritage Day will feature plenty of modern touches. These include live music from Easton natives Roi & the Secret People, Dan DeChellis, and students from the Easton School of Rock, as well as popular area performers like Dana Gaynor Band, Brian Dean Moore Band, Copperfields, Joyous, and more.
“We have four stages of music starting in the morning, going all the way up until the fireworks and a little bit afterward,” Schoof said. “There isn’t a whole lot of time when there isn’t going to be music, which is always a good thing.”
This year’s music lineup has been spearheaded by Carter Lansing, a well-known Easton musician and native.
The Man Behind the Music: Carter Lansing spearheaded this year’s Heritage Day lineup.
“Carter is a man of many talents,” Schoof said. “The last two years, he has spearheaded the music. He’s really stepped up to the plate and done a terrific job.”
Heritage Day kicks off at 9:45 a.m. with a combined church service presented by Easton’s Historic Downtown Churches at Riverside Park. The festival itself begins at 11 a.m. on the Heritage Stage at Centre Square, with a re-enactment of town criers arguing independence.
Throughout the day, Heritage Day patrons can enjoy a sampling of food trucks, beer, and children’s activities. The festivities will continue into the evening, with fireworks scheduled for 9:30 p.m. on Larry Holmes Drive. Live music will continue until the festival’s conclusion at 10:30 p.m.
“We’re excited – it’s a lot of work to put this on, but at the end of the day, everyone’s excited and glad to be a part of it,” Schoof said. “We’re really glad to be doing it for 40 years. We hope to do it for 40 more.”
For more information and a full schedule of Easton Heritage Day events, visit HeritageDay.org.
School of Rock Lehigh Valley is looking to give its students a better, more portable stage experience… and they’re selling popcorn to reach their goal!
The school, with locations in Easton and Allentown, has its eyes on purchasing an Intellistage 12’x16′ Portable Stage System which it says will “give (students) a better stage experience, and provide much better visibility when (they) play to larger crowds.”
To meet this goal, a Popcorn Palace fundraiser has been started by the School of Rock. Supporters can choose from twelve different popcorn flavors, from the somewhat-traditional white cheddar and kettle corn, to flavors like “Fruit Rainbow” and “Cookies & Dream.” Popcorn can be purchased in a jar, a “value bag”, or a two-gallon tin.
If its $9,000 goal is reached, this innovative – some might say delicious – fundraiser will help the School of Rock bring its shows anywhere, including to venues with little other staging than ground or pavement. The staging unit will find its permanent home between both School of Rock locations.
For more information on School of Rock Lehigh Valley, visit its Allentown and Easton locations on the web.
On Friday night, Easton’s Roi and the Secret People premiered the music video for their song, “Hungry,” at Rivals Sports Bar & Restaurant in Easton. The packed room in attendance received the new video well, and were treated to an incredible night of rock and roll from the band, fronted by the charismatic Mike Roi.
The evening also featured an opening spot from Employees Only, a band comprised of instructors from Easton and Allentown School of Rock locations. The teachers proved to be masters at their craft, playing rock standards and extended jams while displaying great skill and chemistry.
Please enjoy some exclusive photos of this great night of live music, courtesy of Lehigh Valley Underground!
We have an addendum to our Can’t-Miss Shows of the Week.
Easton-based rockers Roi and the Secret People will premiere their music video for their song, “Hungry,” at Rivals Sports Bar & Restaurant, located at 5 Lehns Ct. in Easton.
The video premiere will be followed by a full live show featuring the band, with openers Employees Only, comprised of School of Rock instructors from Easton and Allentown locations.
The night of music will take place from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. There is no cover, and it will remain an all-ages show until 11 p.m.
For more information or to let the band know you’re coming, check out the official Facebook event.
Check out a live rehearsal version of “Hungry” below!